AND CATTLE DOCTOR. 223 



drinking stagnant waters. The diseased sheep are to 

 be kept apart from the rest, as the disease is infectious, 

 and when the blisters break anoint them with sweet 

 oil. 



Lastly, Lameness. — This appears to be the same as 

 is described by Mr. Livingston. 



He observes that the legs of sheep are furnished 

 with a duct which terminates in the fissure of the hoof; 

 from which, when the animal is in health, there is se- 

 creted a white fhiid ; but when sickly, these ducts are 

 stopped by the hardness of the fluid. 



He adds that he had, in some instances found the 

 sheep relieved by pressing out the hardened matter 

 with the finger from the orifice of the duct in each foot 

 Perhaps it may in some cases be proper to place their 

 feet in warm w^ater, or to use a probe, or hard brush, 

 for cleansing this passage. 



He concludes by observing, that probably the ill 

 health of sheep, in wet or muddy pastures, may in 

 some measure be ascribed to the necessity of keeping 

 these ducts free and open. 



Frequently changing flocks of sheep from one farm 

 to another, where the pastures are equally good, is 

 very beneficial to them. We know a flock which, for 

 several years past, have been pastured on different 

 farms, by being let out to different farmers on shares, 

 which are much the finest looking sheep to be found 

 any where in the neighbourhood where they belong. 



The farmer who would rejoice to see our country 

 so far independent, as to become stocked with woollen 

 fabrics of our own making, must feel himself impelled 

 by his patriotism to endeavour to afford his share of 

 supplies of wool, which are so needful to our infant 

 manufactories; and he who is insensible to a love of 

 country, may still find a powerful incentive to the 

 raising of sheep in consulting his own interest. 



